Our applications programme is looking at how we might use the Q20:20 quantum computer demonstrator to solve real-world problems.

The research is split into four work packages looking at secure network communications, networked quantum sensors, quantum enabled discovery and quantum/classical emulation and interfacing.

We aim to answer three key questions for emerging quantum devices such as the Q20:20 engine, to make the translation from theory to practice possible:

1. What is the Q20:20 quantum computer demonstrator good for?
2. Is it functioning properly?
3. How do we program the Q20:20 machine?

Over the next five to ten years we will see a state of flux as quantum technologies become part of the mainstream computing landscape. These emerging machines will have high variability in terms of architectures and capacities and will not be universal in terms of having a simple programming model nor will they be easily applicable to all problems. Our work on the applications of these early quantum devices will help address these issues.

Future information and communication networks will certainly consist of both classical and quantum devices, with various degrees of functionality, ranging from simple routers to servers executing quantum algorithms. NQIT’s application programme is providing the building blocks for these future powerful quantum servers.